Dear editor:
Surprise -- The new U.S. Census figures show that Hot Springs has not grown and new crime posts show that Hot Springs presently ranks as No. 1 on the list of "America's Most Burglarized Towns and Cities."
The latest U.S. Census Bureau statistics show Hot Springs has a population of only 36,915 compared to 36,277 in 2010. This is actually a loss, considering citizens forcibly annexed in areas A and B (https://goo.gl/51GdGm).
One only needs to Google, "crime, Hot Springs, AR" to see dozens of sites listing Hot Springs as having one of the highest crime rates in the country. Most sites show Hot Springs in the highest 1-3 percent or worse. In 2010, we even made The New York Times Almanac (Page 321) as the "Most Dangerous City in the USA." We later hit the top of the list for property crime. Just two days ago, we made No. 1 on the list as "America's Most Burglarized Towns and Cities."
See https://goo.gl/zk6PrM.
Recent stats show Hot Springs with 1,059 burglaries, which is the highest in the nation per capita. Pine Bluff came in at No. 3.
See https://goo.gl/SZaG5F.
Everyone knows the city is not growing, but people should question why? One city director stated that his vote to forcibly annex hundreds of residents was due to his embarrassment that the city was not growing. Crime facts and statistics have repeatedly been made known to the city's leaders and police departments. Does the general public know about this? If not, why not? Why are such devastating facts not a major concern? Why do we not have a crime reduction program? Is there a concerted effort to keep crime information from the public? If so, who is keeping it quiet and why?
Our citizens also deserve the facts relative to the 10-year long "water crisis" that was never a crisis. The over $7 million that was wasted on water projects plus $110 million which is about to be spent. Again, without a single public workshop and without a vote of the people paying for it. See https://CCC.Center.
While we're at it, let us ask why the A&P Commission refuses to respond to FOIA requests telling us the amount of liquid assets they have while asking and receiving unanimous board approval for a $2 million bond sale. The Sentinel-Record recently reported that the A&P has $10.39 million. Why then, do they need another $2 million? That answer is simple. If the citizens approve the $2 million bond, the citizens cannot request or petition for a reduction in the 3 percent "hamburger" tax because that tax will become "encumbered" to pay off the bond. Yep, at the end of 10 years, another bond will likely be "badly needed" for some purpose so that our taxes can never be reduced.
Research these issues. Put your findings together and go to the polls with real facts about how well our city leaders are representing us.
Bob Driggers
Hot Springs
Editorial on 07/05/2018